Whilst Ankara is the governing capital of Turkey, Istanbul was and continues to be the Turkish metropolis with it’s highly recognisable sky-line of mosque minarets. Istanbul has a population of more than 13 million which stradle two continents, Europe and Asia being separated by the Bosphorous. The two continents are now connected by the Bosphorous Bridge built during 1973 but prior to that, the only way to go between the European and Asian parts of the city, was by boat.
I travelled Istanbul and other other regions of Turkey on my own and felt completely safe as a solo-female traveller. I found it a fascinating travel destination where east meets west, the Ottoman architecture and hard working, friendly people.
If you intend to spend some time in Istanbul I highly recommend you find a hotel in The Sultanahmet district being the heart of the historic Old Istanbul. There are numerous hotels suiting all budgets. A hotel near the Blue Mosque or a hotel near the Hagia Sophia, where you will have ready access to other grand historic sites such as the Cistern Basilica and Topkapi Palace just to name a few. It really is your best base for sightseeing in Istanbul.
This is the first of a new category to https://inform.quest/_traveltips. It came about from the sharing of international music with some of my favourite travel mates on Twitter. Some of the music I have been exposed to is simply marvellous and here is a great place for me to share it with others and have it stored for future enjoyment by myself!
Music has a great way to provoke memories of times, experiences and places. I have a collection of music I discovered whilst travelling and of course, when I play it, it immediately takes me back to those travel destinations.
Mustafa Sandal was and still is, a music pop star during the time I visited Turkey alone, backpacking. Every bus, taxi, cafe, restaurant and pension I was in, was playing him (and Kylie Minogue!). I just had to return with his CD, for I knew in the future, listening to it would recapture those solo backpacking days, sitting on crowded, smoke filled buses!!
Araba by Mustafa Sandal
Golgede Ayni, Mustafa Sandal – the CD I came home with!
I love Moorish and Ottoman architecture. I have travelled extensively across North Africa, Spain, Portugal, Turkey and into the Middle East to marvel at such sights. I could never take enough photos of Moorish buildings with their elegant archways, domes, large wooden doors (I love doors!) and most of all, the beautiful tiles that graced nearly all wall space available – and then onto the ceilings.
Not long ago one of our bathrooms needed a complete renovation from its 1967 ‘purple’ decor. We knocked out a wall and completely opened it up, allowing more light in. I had already decided it was going to be a brighter, cheerier bathroom and decorated with two panels of tiles from Turkey. One has been placed above the tapware of the bath (see photo) and the other set into the wall cavity of the shower to be a useful shelf. I love this new space and now, I think of Turkey and my time travelling whenever I enter that bathroom!
What do you have in your home, that reminds you of some wonderful travel destinations you’ve visited? Please leave your comments below…
Pamukkale is found in south, western Turkey approx 19km north of Denizli. It gained UNESCO listing during 1988 for both its environmental features and Roman history. It would have to be one of the most spectacular places I have visited. From a distance, as I approached from the bus, the white scar on the hillside glistened as the sun was lowering in the sky. The name Pamukkale means ‘Cotton Castle’ and that’s exactly what it looked like! (A photo of myself at Pamukkale can be seen on the ‘About Kirsty’ page.)
The terraced basins are filled with warm, thermal spring waters that are mineral-rich with calcium. This in turn has created the shallow pools supported by stalactites. The warm springs have made the area popular since ancient times. The Romans built Hierapolis here. After you have marvelled at the environmental feature of Pamukkale, you are able to explore the Roman Baths and take a dip amongst collapsed roman columns and other archaeological, building ruins.
The Traveler IQ challenge ranks geographic knowledge of cities such as: Punta Cana, Willemstad or Columbia by comparing results against 5,473,834 other travelers.
I love Moorish and Ottoman architecture. I have travelled extensively across North Africa, Spain, Portugal, Turkey and into the Middle East to marvel at such sights. I could never take enough photos of Moorish buildings with their elegant archways, domes, large wooden doors (I love doors!) and most of all, the beautiful tiles that graced nearly all wall space available – and then onto the ceilings.
space and now, I think of Turkey and my time travelling whenever I enter that bathroom!
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